Galesburg Gets Illinois’ First Community-Driven Community Solar Project

Blue Grama Solar, Galesburg, IL | Photo Credits: Trajectory Energy Partners and Nexamp

The Blue Grama Solar project in Galesburg, Illinois, is making history as the state’s first-ever energized Community-Driven Community Solar (CDCS) project. This significant step forward for clean energy in Illinois demonstrates how local communities can play an active role in the renewable energy movement. 

Blue Grama Solar has been in development since the spring of 2022, and 2025 marks its official connection to the grid. While more than 120 CDCS projects are in progress throughout Illinois, Blue Grama Solar is the first to be energized!  

Community-Driven Community Solar (CDCS) projects are intended to provide more direct and tangible benefits to the local community, such as wealth-building and meaningful project involvement, connection, and engagement from community members and organizations. 

After Trajectory Energy Partners facilitated both the community outreach and the application process, Nexamp acquired the project and plans to guide it through to its final stages, including long-term ownership and operation. The land for the 3-megawatt solar array belongs to a long-time Galesburg resident who has since moved. With help from the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development (KCAP), the landowner was able to use this land to give back to his home community through solar.  

While Blue Grama Solar is an exciting addition to Galesburg, the city itself is not new to solar. With nearly a dozen solar projects active or under construction, Galesburg has established itself as one of the number one cities in Illinois for solar projects. This was led by the early adoption of solar by the Galesburg CUSD #205, who began implementing solar at their schools in 2019. Community leaders have been excited about the benefits these projects will bring their community and residents. 

The goal of Blue Grama Solar is to provide the direct benefits CDCS to the local community. To participate, subscribers must reside in one of the following counties: Fulton, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Peoria, Stark, or Warren. This ensures that the project’s benefits stay within the community and offers a way for local residents to have a meaningful connection with renewable energy efforts. Just a couple of months after the project was energized, there are already 187 community members subscribed to Blue Grama Solar, with the project at 99% capacity! 

Community solar projects like this allow residents to participate in solar energy production without the need for individual solar panel installations. This makes it easier for people to save on their energy bills and contribute to reducing carbon emissions. In fact, subscribers of Blue Grama Solar are currently seeing a 15% savings on their energy costs on average. 

Blue Grama Solar’s impact extends beyond just energy savings. By harnessing solar power, the project helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supports Illinois' ongoing efforts to transition to clean energy. It also serves as a model for future community-driven solar projects, both in Illinois and beyond, showing how collaboration can drive clean energy adoption and create lasting local benefits. 

For those in the area interested in being part of this initiative, subscribe soon before Blue Grama Solar reaches full capacity!